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Vancouver Island Beggarticks

Bidens

amplissima

A member of the family Asteracaea (“asters”), this wetland annual has over 85% of its global range in BC. The genetic makeup of B. amplissima suggests that it only recently evolved from two closely related species – “nodding” and “three-parted” beggarticks, and may be the result of hybridization. Once thought to be endemic only to extreme southwestern BC, this species has recently been discovered in Washington State.

Height to approximately 1 m. An annual herb with erect branching stems. Both stems and flower stems (inflorescence) may be smooth to slightly hairy. The toothed, opposite leaves are 8-20 cm long and range from un-lobed to deeply three-lobed. The short leaf stalks are sometimes slightly winged. The 6-9 yellow ray-petals of the flowers are clustered at the ends of branches. Two rows of short, green, leaf-like involucre bracts (modified leaf) surround each head. Numerous tiny single-seeded fruits (achenes) develop on each head after flowering. Achenes are tan or brown coloured, 5-7 mm long and wedge-shaped, each with 2-4 barbed needle–like appendages (awns) that assist in seed dispersal by hooking onto fur, feathers or clothing.

A source for authoritative conservation information on thousands of plants and animals and hundreds of ecological communities in BC. From here connect to all provincial and federal recovery plans (including the SARA Registry), COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), Identified Wildlife guidance and conservation requirements for specific species and ecological communities of conservation concern impacted by forestry activities) and links to E-Flora and E-Fauna (the Electronic Atlas of the Plants and Wildlife of British Columbia).

A joint venture resource providing comprehensive information on a range of species and ecological communities specific to the Coast Region of BC (including the South, Central and North Coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii).

SOUTH COAST CONSERVATION PROGRAM

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